Another painful issue...(I didn't think anyone was doing episiotomies any more!)

EurekaAlert reports on a study published in the September 2005 issue of Birth: Issues in PreNatal Care that rates of episiotomy are still high despite recommendations by obstetric, midwifery, and nursing bodies to limit the use of this procedure. A recent JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) article found that routine episiotomies provide no benefit, and, in fact, harm women -- The same information is repeated at the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Maternity Center Association, who gives tips on how to avoid an episiotomy. I don't know why so many are still being done, but it sure emphasizes how important it is to be your own advocate...